SC Woman drives into ocean with 3 children in van

posted by (WCBD, News 2 Staff, Mar 6 2014)
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2 years ago

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A pregnant woman from South Carolina drove her minivan into the ocean in Daytona Beach, Florida, with her three children inside.

32-year-old Ebony Wilkerson is in the hospital and will undergo a mental health evaluation. Daytona Beach deputies will also interview her to determine if she will be charged.

News 2 has learned Wilkerson used to live in a trailer in Cross, behind the Canal One Stop Gas Station and Grocery Store. We're told she most recently lived off Dorchester Road in North Charleston.

NBC affiliate, WESH, reports that Daytona Beach Police interviewed Wilkerson just hours before the incident. She told police she was going to a safe place she worked out with a domestic violence shelter. Wilkerson was afraid her ex-husband would find her and hurt the children.

Several witnesses rushed to rescue Wilkerson and her children after she drove into the ocean.

Tim Tesseneer of North Carolina says he helped pull the 9 and 10 year old from the van. Both said their mother's actions were intentional.